Chapter Two

  Well fed and in good spirits the group began a long day under a blue sky.
"Not a cloud in sight" Ruv observed, "good day for all those traveling in this countryside"
"Make sure you keep a good look out Tri" Ruv reminded.
"I'm pretty sure we're on our own but ya can't be too certain of that"
'Always cautious, always suspicious' thought Tri, "Probably why he's never been killed yet" he muttered.
The rolling hills were providing cover yet at times enabled the fugitives a chance to search the countryside for other movement.
As the sun became hotter and higher they rested in a shady gully that was surrounded with large boulders that would give hiding protection should it be necessary.
"Our supplies are getting low, I think two more days at cutting back on what we have been using at the moment should do it" Ruv planned out loud.
"Just what we're going to do with the horses when we get to the bush will be a good question" Tri pondered.
"Well, actually, should we decide to not continue with them and leave them to graze for a few days until we return?, they should be alright" Ruv said "Hobbling may be the answer, we just see how it goes when we get there."
They will need a damn good rest by the end of today" Tri decided, "on the way back they'll be worked pretty hard" Tri spoke knowing with the joint conversation that they were actually putting their plan together.
Within their bags they had, amongst other gear, a set of for each horse.
"If we leave them around a water hole, before entering the bush, I reckon they won't be too far away when we come back to collect them" Ruv decided.
"Ok, agreed" Tri said as he remounted.
"If we pace it till the bush edge it will mean we are in time to get settled in for the night in the bush before dark."
"Gotcha" came an enthusiastic response as both horses began to run quickly. Throughout the non-eventful afternoon the four traveled with speed.
Regularly zigzagging through the long grassy sloping hills with nervous glancing around to ensure readiness incase of attack the silent men soon arrived close to the bush edge where a small creek which flowed outward from the forest gave all of the group a badly needed freshen up.
"If we travel up the valley floor a wee bit and enter the trees by way of the scrub we should be less likely to be seen ya reckon Tri?" asked Ruv.
"I'll go along with that" Ruv replied happily.
He was looking forward to a good feed of meat and vegetables that he knew they would find within the bush.
In a little gully the two men stripped down and bathed in a shallow pond. Taking turn they washed their clothes and cared for the horses. They took turns at being sentries scanning the bush edge and the grass land for anything not vegetation.
"It's amazing ya know Tri how such habitual countryside is not supporting inhabitants" Ruv analyzed."Plenty of tucker, moderate climate, it's laid on out here".
"I'd say by the time we're dust under the ground there will be residents here alright" Tri sadly spoke.
"It'll spoil it but with that coast not too far away, plenty of timber, heaps of grazing, waters not a problem and ny what I've seen so far it doesn't look like the winters are too severe, yeah, It'll be sooner than we think i suppose" he went on.
The horses were fed and given a good rub down before being hobbled sp they would not travel into the distance.
Tri put a small block of salt in a longer grass area where the horses began to nuzzle it.
Beside this under a pile of small boulders and of broken branches, the riding equipment, stores, food supplies, water in containers were well above the ground.
Carefully and detailed care was taken to ensure that no appearance of disturbance would indicate that anything was hidden there.
"One clue gives heaps of clues you know" Ruv lectured, "can't be too fussy".
"I'd agree to that" Tri spoke back with full gusto.
They felt a little securer now.
"Ok Tri spoke quietly the horses and gear are safe. My clothes are almost dry."
"Mine too" Ruv added.
The men's appearance appeared quite different now.
On foot they had their equipment on packs on their backs and each carried one weapon each.
Around their waists were two knives. One a hunting knife, the other a throwing weapon. Their lower legs were wrapped up with lengths of material. This would ensure good protection whilst trekking through the trees. Water pouches were filled and hidden within their packs along with food and spare clothing, also survival equipment and a various supply of different weaponry.
Packs secure, they vanished into the scrub and crouching down ran quickly through the bushes, one standing first, the other running ahead stopping, nodding a signal for the other to follow.
This darting, stopping, darting and running continued up till they came to the shadow of a large old tree.
Here they lay down on the ground listening to the surroundings.
The first sound, other than that made by themselves and the horses was of a bird colony a small distance ahead within the bush.
Whispering, "If those birds knew we or anything else was here they'd be quiet" Ruv mentioned.
The last dash was made into the forest and as soon as they were inside the trees they went straight up two trees to accustom themselves to the bush layout.
A short whistle sounded. Both men jumped down and feeling certain all was clear they hastily began their next job.
Selecting small saplings amongst a group of small trees they began cutting up long branches and lashing them together.
A long sledge-like carrying bed was made up and tied with a careful profession ship that would mean that a heaving load could be carried behind the horses.
Each man made one of these horse sledges each. Great care was taken to not leave any obvious marks easily seen that would show where trees had been cut and used. They worked in silence pausing, listening, looking, giving each other a nod then continuing with the task at hand.
The finished products would be towed behind the horses and that to be able to carry good load and be easy to fix broken parks should such be required.
Spare parts were incorporated within the structures and secured to the upper sides.
Haven towed for some time, the men then when finishing their task, proceeded once again to check any indication of their making of the carrier was not detectable.
After searching awhile, Ruv found a small crevice between two very large trees that grew close together.
Here they placed their finished jobs and carry moss from under a fallen log and placed it around them so they couldn't be found unless they were walked into.
Tri stood back viewing the spot where they had hidden their creation.
"They are between that row of scrub and broken trunk and the small bank" he recorded to Ruv, who listened and repeated back to Tri, "Yes, shouldn't be too hard to find them again" He added.
"If we were them we may be in a hurry to grab them and and latch them to the horses" he went on, "I'd say when we come back it'll pay to get the horse ready first"
"Yeah good thinking" Tri muttered.
Everything cleaned up and no evidence of anything haven occurred there recently, the two proceeded to slowly walk into the bush.
"We have to keep going northwest if we want the shortest route to the coast Tri" Ruv spoke out with a hint of concern in his voice.
"We'll have to be pretty accurate because it's easy to go around in circles in the bush Tri".
With that they proceeded to walk along the edge of a small river.
Both men were looking for human and animal tracks and glancing into the water, hoping to spot a trout.
"We should be right to have a fire going when it's dark to cook a fish up Ruv" Tri mentioned hoping for an agreement.
"I'd go along with that" Ruv seemed to say in a hungry voice.
Smiling to himself Tri began to look more into the water than the bush surrounding them. "You look for fish and I'll keep an eye out Tri" ruv ordered.
Very soon Tri was sliding down to an overhang and lying down. He proceeded to slowly lower his arms into the water. His hands slowly worked their way up the trout's tail towards its gills. Jamming his fingers into the fish's gills, he yanked it out of the water. He then held it upright and moved away from the creek giving it to his to his companion.
This done he went back to the water, still nothing spoken between the two, lying very still on the bank, arms full length in the water he was very still watching a trout slowly swim towards him. Wiggling his fingers slightly for the fish to become accustomed to a slight motion he slowly began at the tail and rubbing the meals ???? began to move his hand up the fish's body until he reached the guts. In one movement the fingers entered the gills capturing and raising the prey out of the water.
"One each" he congratulated himself.
"This one's ready" Tri replied.
A fire was started and as Tri gutted the second one he noted the roe. "The roe is very good for you, this male fish has it's roe softer" Tri said.
"The female roe is always harder" Ruv commented.
The small frying pans were shortly sizzling omitting there appetizing aroma of cooking trout.
Tri proceeded to prepare a meal as Tri was by now moving in a circle quite some distance away from the fire. He began to take notes of the downwind from the fire. No movement.
"Yeah i reckon we've earned a rest of some sorts" came the immediate response.
"Damn good sized trout" Tri observed "Plenty more where they came from"
"I reckon you're right there" came a contented reply.
"Well I suppose we'd rest, get a good nights sleep" Ruv added "I don;t think anyone has been through here for a few years"
"Only the odd deer, going by the old track marks i seen earlier on " Tri added.
"Didn't see any myself" said Ruv, "just after we entered the bush I spotted a set of small tracks" Tri said "I hope we get a good set of venison shortly"
"I'll go along with that" Ruv said. Shortly both men were contently settled down to sleep each lost in their own thoughts.
The first sound Tri heard upon wakening was that of birds greeting the pre-dawn.
In the semi daylight he could just make out Ruv preparing a meal of raw fruit of dried berries and an assortment of vegetables. Sprinkling a good handful of nuts over the odd mixture he handed a plate full to Ruv.
"Thanks"
"Bigger daydream" came the cooks response "it would seem that there's a few days of journey through this bush till we reach the coast."
"Do you think there's any residents of the human species within the forest Ruv?" asked Tri
"I doubt it, but we can't be too sure"
"If we pace it do you think we'd be able to do it in two days?" Tri enquired.
"In my opinion, yes" Tri reckoned, "But actually that's a damn good idea, because if there's nobody around we could travel faster" he surmised, then added, "Once we see or any signs of any folks we'd better take it slower"
"A hard day ahead of walking" Tri concluded.
"Sure thing" came a positive comment.
First meal for the day over, the men once again cleared any tell-tale signs of they haven been there.
Very carefully detail and attention was given to their footwear. This done for they intended to be walking from dawn to dusk and in their healthy condition such could be done.
The one thing that may stuff up was their feet or footwear letting them down.
"Pretty sure that if we were to travel north-west for two and a half days we'll be near the oceans bluffs" Tri planned.
"Hope so" Ruv volunteered, "should be able to smell the salt air within one and a half days anyway" he pondered.
By now the sun had begun to show its presence and with that came shadows.
These shadows would see the men gain their directions more in the line they wanted.
With that Tri proceeded to brake up a half body length of straight branch he picked up off the ground.

"The tip always points to the north" he said, "we'd check our direction during the day with this." With a frowning expression he added "The magnetism will not be strong and will need regular topping up."
"Well we're covered both ways" Tri defended himself, "so we should be right with our path."
"I'd agree to that."
With that done the two began to walk in single file towards the north-west. The going was flat and with good distance visibility viewing through the trees.
Once Tri slipped off a slippery tree trunk that lay across a small gully and fell three times his height. Other than that it was a day of fast walking pace broken three times for a short spell and a re-check of direction with Ruv's compass.
During mid afternoon Tri commented that absolutely no animal tracks, even old ones had been noticed.
Late afternoon they entered taller trees with fern growth spasmodically in patches between them.
"These small creeks seem to be getting more and more now" Tri commented.
"Yes it would appear we're entering the main forest now Tri" said Ruv.
"These large trees must be a few years old" Tri added.
"I'd say they were around before our great-grandfathers were young" Ruv guessed.
"I'd agree to that" spoke Tri, "they've seen a few seasons alright."
The bush they were now walking through became thicker but still their pace did not slacken. Wearing less clothing now than they had in the morning the men were covered in sweat.
"Sure has got warm Ruv" Tri complained, "nice change though."
He entered some thicker bush and noticed a mossy ground coverage where he looked down to the deer tracks, whispering to Ruv "Oi look at this, must be a yearling deer's I'd say Ruv".
Observing Tri's comment Ruv agreed adding - "I reckon what we should do here is take a break and make something incase we bang into one".
"If we want some venison we can't afford to fire a shot incase someone hears it" he went on, "make a bow ya reckon?"
"I'll be into that" Tri responded.
Tri began traveling around the spot in a circle searching for the evergreen tree known as yew.
While he was doing this Ruv off loaded his pack and reached through it until he came to his ball of rawhide string.
Cutting off a body length piece he then replaced his gear very neatly and tidy.
Before long Tri returned with a piece of yew.
Carefully shaving off branch extensions and smoothing the shaft Tri cast a critical eye along its length.
"Looks good?" he replied.
"Looks good " Ruv approved.
Holding one end of the stave at the tip with the right hand and reaching out sideways with the left hand Tri marked the extent of his reach at the length of the bow. Ruv's knife soon fashioned the stave so that it was two fingers wide at the center, tapering to one finger width at the ends.
He then notched the ends to take the bow string about one finger thickness from the ends.
"I wish we had some animal fat to rub over this" Ruv wished out loud. "We may need it for a while".
"Hey, with a little bit if luck I reckon we may just be able to do that Ruv" Tri spoke optimistically.
"I wouldn't hold my breath Tri" replied Ruv, "but ya never know".
"Here's hoping" came a keen response.
With that he secured the rawhide string to the bow with a round turn and two half hitches at the end.
"I'll release one end of the string during the night when its not in use Tri" Ruv stated.
"That way when we do that the stave won't set in the taut bent shape".
"Should be right in a few days of dry weather" spoke Tri "I reckon it's a damn good weapon by the look of it."
"Lets hope it kills as good as it looks" Ruv replied.
'Now it's arrow time' ordered Ruv to himself. With that the men set off around the local area in search for some good looking birch.
"Get heaps Tri" called Ruv "we may need them for other purposes.
Before long both intending to be hunters were back with enough birch lengths for twenty arrows.
Selecting the best two the men set about cutting the lengths to the same for each one Tri extending his arm out whilst Ruv used it as a measuring point.
"About same as we used last sea is I'd say, what do ya reckon Tri?" Ruv asked.
"I'd go along with that " Tri replied.
"From your big finger tip to your armpit eh?"
"Yeah that's right if i remember right Ruv" cam Tri's thoughtful response.
Each arrow was cut to length, they proceeded to cut and check if the notch in the end of each arrow was wide enough to fit over the bow string.
Tri set about trimming up some thick leaves to shape its feathers.
"Pity we aint got any feather but these done right will do it I think Ruv' said Tri.
"I think you are right about that" Ruv spoke "we should keep an eye out for a bird to knock over for feathers as well as a feed".
Not too long later Tri and Ruv had a bunch of leaves all trimmed to shade as suitable.
All that put on each leaf of one end of the arrow leaving a thumb nail length of stem at each end of the length of leaf. They then tied these leaves equally spaced around the shaft.
Fashioning bits of tin from around Tri's pack an image of arrow heads soon appeared.
Splitting the other end of the shafts the arrow tips were inserted.
This done the job of binding the arrow heads tightly began.
"Damn it" muttered Tri as he broke a piece of the fine string.
"No, not damn, Tri" commented Ruv, "just fix it" he joked.
"I wish this arrow to be used first, it's a prick of a job to get this one right" Tri spoke in frustration.
"If it's not right, chuck it out, reason it'll cost us a deer" Ruv spoke authoritatively.
"Yeah I know" came Tri's dedicated response.
Beginning again and taking his time Tri finally stood up and congratulating himself said "This one will go right through the heart of a damn good feed, I hope".
"I hope so too" encouraged Ruv.
Finally all the arrows and bow were ready for there duty.
A piece of cloth was fashioned into a quiver and tied to Tri's back. Bow over his shoulders they set off again.
"I wonder if anyone could find out trail without a dog Ruv?" Tri enquired.
"I'd think they would have a hard job, we haven't left much in the way of anything to tell what we are about" Ruv advised.
"Hope you're right Ruv" Tri responded.
"We'd better make up for lost time Ruv" Tri offered.
"You're right ya know" came Ruv's response.
With that the travelers began to travel at an almost full running speed. The one whose turn it was to follow always kept back a bit and eyed the bush passed through, noting to see if they were leaving any obvious sign of their passing through.
The pace now was full on and jumping over logs, crouching under branches, the two men traveled through that bush like fleeting deer.
Exhaustion never occurred. Just a constant run, jump, bend, leap. On and on.
The third stop to check out the needles pointing direction confirmed that yes, they were still traveling north west.
A quick pause then onward they continued at times knee deep in ferns.
Their eyes working constantly looking this way then that way. Other times increasing their running speed when the going got easier.
The trees, some two arm widths wide with moss hanging down looking very wise, all appeared to have different characteristics.
Now and then a bird would flutter in alarm, warning others of the unusual sight passing their domain.
The two companions appeared to blend in with the surroundings yet in some ways came across as invaders being an intrusion to the area.
Neither noticed any strange smells nor animal footprints nor human footprints.
They felt secure that they were possibly the first persons to be in that area for many many seasons.
Towards evening during a brief pause Tri mentioned he'd seen fresh deer footprints.
"Were they of running or walking?" Ruv asked "Because I never seen any."
"No, no" responded Tri "It was two sets of young deer tracks along the edge of that small creek we just crossed."
"I suggest we slow down now. It'll be dark soon and we may bang into one coming along the water for a drink."
"I'd say we've come a long way. It's been a long day so far."
From here on the travelers began to walk side by side, carefully placing each foot not to make any sound.
Tri placed a finger in his mouth and held it up to a get an air current direction.
"Pretty still but a slight breeze into our faces Ruv" Tri whispered.
"In our favor came an eager reply."
Caution ally the two hunters moved slowly forward.
"The idea is to see them before they see us" Ruv whispered.
"I get the drift" came a relaxed whisper.
Slowly entering an area of saplings that grew close together Ruv pointed at very fresh deer tracks noting that they meant that the deer was walking.
Ruv knew this for the deer's footprints overlapped front and rear.
Silently and with a steady slow rate thee relaxed two men, looking in all directions, peered into the thicker dense bush.
First they paused, looking and re-looking into the bush, then in cat-like motions moved forward a few paces, bows with arrows fitted into the bowstrings, were ready for instant use.
Following the deer sign down a bank, Tri stood on an unseen fallen twig.
'Crack' came a sharp break in the silence. Both men froze in their steps and awaited for any sound of a running animal.
Nothing.
In the deafening silence they waited to see if any bushes or ferns moved. Still nothing.
Whispering to Tri, Ruv suggested "Along the creek edge."
Slowly, and standing straight, Tri would peer into the thickest bush are, checking the wind direction again with his finger to make sure that it was still in their favor.
Expecting to see a leg, or a deer's face staring at them they patiently eased forward.
Eyes on the ground to ensure they didn't stand on anything to make a noise, eyes looking firstly at the open bush then around the edge, then again a searching stare into the surrounding thicket and back again. The deer footprints now lead straight towards a pool of still water surrounded by fallen trees.
Knowing any moment the deer would smell them or hear them before they seen it, Tri and Ruv stood very still listening and glancing here and there and everywhere but still no deer in sight.
Edging forward slowly with not a sound make the two hunter with arrow loaded into their bows, glided between two large old trees.
Freezing still Ruv raised his bow and aimed into a small bunch of young trees.
Tri peered into where he could see a deer looking at another older deer that was drinking from a pool of water.
The only part visible of the young deer was its head.
Arrows both poised and held on target, the men awaiting for the deer to move it's position slightly so as they could aim for the heart area.
Arrow flight pressed against the cheek, with his bowstring drawn smoothly back across the front of his body. His arrow, at eye level , lined up on the deer's neck with a quiet twang both arrows sped towards their goal.
In one instant the deer was alive and with ears twitching suspiciously, the next it was dying as it fell to its death with two arrows in the heart. The twitching ceased as Tri removed the head.
In a very short few moments the prey become a collection of bones meat and hide. A large hole located within the small creek where the surplus to need was placed.
Once Tri had spread out the hide, salted and rewrapped up he placed it into a rolled up blanket shape upon his shoulders.
Ready for travel the heavier laden two set out into the thicker forest.
Going into where no water flowed, nor animal tracks. They silently forwarded, deep in thought.
As they were surrounded by a deep forest growth a small rise came into view.
"Up here will be good for some rest" spoke Tri in a tired voice.
"I'm looking forwarded to that" Ruv responded.
From the high spot they would have the advantage of view.
In a short space of time a fire was organized and clothing was hung around the fire to dry out and venison was roasting, dry bedding prepared.
"I'll rub the fat on the bows Tri" Ruv informed.
"They will be needed soon so make sure its dong right" cane the instruction "They should give us the advantage"
"I'll go along with that" Tri replied cheerfully as he slowly rubbed the fat off the kill into the bow wood with great pride.
As dark fell the two tired men surrounded to their body need of sleep and rest. A good deal of venison and stores were eaten. The fire extinguished, the two lay in total darkness sleeping deeply and content.
Singing bird music woke the relaxed overnighters. Neither spoke as they lay motionless listening to the concert of forest dwellers. Different types of avian companions hopped around on the ground testing the contents of the forest floor.
Heads looking up at them, tilting, staring at an insect waiting for the right moment to strike. Others, feeling movement below their claws, ramming beaks into the soft soil amongst the leaves and existing with wiggling worms trying the last struggle of their existence to continue life.
Above the trees flew groups of different colored birds in one bunch all going somewhere important during their playful daily habits.
As daylight announced itself more Tri could see further through the different greens and more greens. Slowly he realized that the green coloring differences were too many to count. The sunlight struck the moisture on leaves yet another change of green coloring happened.
Amongst the soft foliage stood large, strong yet s silent trunks of the trees that gave him a feeling of utter safety but at the same time he felt he was but a small living part of an endless number of lives. His death would go unnoticed around here. He would become just a part of the surroundings.
For a moment the birds were silent.
'So much life but if I was wrong I could think this place was lifeless. With no humans here nothing would change but changes were happening all the time'.
Trying to see anything, either two branches, any twigs, trunks of trees, or any of the birds, mounds of small bushes, nothing anywhere was the same.
A little small black winged local landing silently on Tri's foot.
'Hell, I'm the newcomer intruder here', he felt, 'I'm being watched, this little bird will be wondering just what the hell I am'.
Obeying his common sense Tri lay still. This way he could allow the camp visitor to satisfy itself that he meant no harm. New visitor fluttered onto his knee, pausing, then hopped sideways up to his hips. Tilting its head the little feathered explorer peered towards his face. Changing eyes the bird looked again at his face before hopping forwards this time up to Tri's chest. Motionlessly feeling safe the small newfound friend rose and fell with the movement if Tri's breathing.
Eye to eye contact was made, neither moving. It seemed that both resting human and the wandering bird trusted each other.
One small sharp musical note was played by the visitor followed by a raising of it's head. Fluffing out all its feathers it shook and shook itself, left a small mess on Tri's chest and in one movement was flying away to the top of the trees.
"Thanks" Tri's laughing voice began the pairs day.
Ruv had been watching the full action, "I feel as I don't mean anything around here Ruv" Tri comment in a flat voice.
"Tri, ya don't" Ruv advised "No one does, and what's more, no one will".
"It takes a lot to understand the forest Tri, but just remember there is nothing to understand".
Tri added trying to stop laughing as he cleaned the mess off his clothing.
"All ya gotta do is not be harmed when you're here and just live. It makes sense to me, this place" Ruv went onto say.
"It does good for people realize these things Tri. Reality is easily to connect with here. Nothing to upset the chances" he said pointing his finger in an old wise way. Tri had known him to do so in the past when he did this Tri knew something was going to be said.
"If ya spend long enough here but remember not too long and then you return to live amongst our people, you'll be able to reason clearer, you'll be able to decide easier, and I tell ya what Tri, your decisions and actions will be of a clearer and complete result. Mark my words". He finished up adding.
"Yes I'd say that's about dead right" Tri approved.
"Looks like a decent day ahead for us jokers Ruv", Tri managed to advise as he stretched in a long, arms extended, happy relaxed way of moving for the first time of the day.
"A decent sleep in now and then doesn't do nobody no harm I believe, Ruv".
"I'll go along with that" Tri yawning as he rose from his sleeping place.
"Best we get out arse's into gear and get out of there" came the instructions.
"Yep! too much of a good thing can do a person no good, I'm ready for whatever" came the now fully awake standing adventurer.
"Then let the fun begin" began Tri.
Together they cleared the campsite. Burning half burnt firewood. Placing back the site as near as possible to what it looked like the night before when they arrived. Checking around to make sure nothing was left behind, each man made sure that he was properly satisfied all was well with his gear.
"Footwear's a big thing Tri", Ruv spoke as he bent down and replaced his walking foot protection. There are plenty of hidden hold around the base of the trees near the roots. It's a real prick of a thing when ya shins get a hammering from it".
Both men made sure good padding was secure around their lower legs.
"One hard day coming up" Ruv voiced.
"A decent rest and good tucker will make it a lot easier" Tri replied.
"I'd say you would be right about that Tri" came Ruv's response.
Ruv chose a tall looking tree and began climbing towards the very top. Tri meanwhile began his job of making a compass by repeatedly stroking in one direction only a needle against a piece of silk cloth.
Haven done this for the time it took Ruv to reach the top of the upper branches he then, using a thin string he tied it around the middle of the needle and with it in balance he watched as it slowly stopped rotating and pointed north.
"North is this way" came a voice far up in the forest ceiling, "I can smell the sea from here".
"That's good" said Tri.
Sure enough the pointed end of his needle was indicating the same way.
"How far do you reckon to the cost Ruv?" enquired Tri.
"I'd say about two days going by what I can see from here" came the confident unseen reply.
"Any life or crook weather that way?" came the next questions.
"No just fine weather and flat country so we'd better be damn careful we don't stuff it up or we'll be going around in circles" Tri replied.
Don't worry" Tri responded, "I'll keep our trusty needle well topped up with rubbing two times a day".
"Good idea" came the voice from above. "Ya can't see any rivers going that way?" Tri enquired again.
"Na just straight bush. I can just make out the ocean. It shouldn't be too bigger deal to get there Tri" Ruv finished off.
When Ruv finally returned to the forest floor Tri had their backpacks with stones tied into corners ready for tying across back, shoulders to hip.
Thus began a three day constant walk through the forest.
Each day a check was made for direction. Food was plenty. Trout from the small creeks made pleasant meals. The venison cooked well and a couple of flightless birds added once or twice to the menu made the travelers enjoy themselves in a contented walk through the green forest.
With the coast becoming closer they could feel the warmer air slowly drifting by. The smell of the sea was becoming also slowly stronger.
Even the bird and animal life was different. At one stage a deeper creek was crossed where as both men became as though returned to their youth as they swam and dived underwater trying yet unsuccessful to catch fish.
The lack of danger allowed good fires at night and morning when cooking the large meals they allowed themselves.
The weather was fine, not too cold at night, the food was no shortage and not many basic problems other than ensuring they were going in right directions.
Tri had never known Ruv to be so relaxed and in a way playful as these three days passed.
"Ya know Ruv, I've not seen any two trees yet the same" Tri said once.
"I'd be bloody surprised if you did" laughed Ruv.
Nothing but checking for indications of human activity within the areas they were traveling through was there any problems of these low number of days as they journeyed through the forest.
Tri's patience when tickling fish in the rivers was observed appreciatively by Ruv.
Tri had lain down on the banks of the small river they encountered and once he had accustomed hands and arms to the water temperature.
With his arms deep into the water reaching back under the undercut banks with his hands as close as possible Tri reached under the bank, moving his fingers slightly until he would touch a fish he worked his hands gently along its belly that is, the fish usually were swimming against the current when feeding until he would reach the gills.
Firmly grasping each fish with fingers injected into the gills he would grasp he fish firmly and pull it onto the back and keep it away from the water.
On the second of their three days of travel Ruv had accidentally cut into his hand. It was a small wound but one that could of caused concern should it have become infected. Once the bleeding had stopped Ruv had crushed with rocks a bulb of one of his garlic supply. He then squeezed the pulped garlic so as to allow the juice into the wound, the pulp he spread around the cut. Over this he placed two large leaves of comfrey and lightly such around.
"We are pretty healthy Tri", Ruv commented, "But I'm not taking any risks with our health" he wisely stated.
Towards the evening on the third day of travel through the bush Ruv could smell the salt air of the coast.
Before going to sleep he advised Tri that he thought he'd be seeing the ocean tomorrow.
"Going by that moon and stars Tri, west is in that direction" Ruv indicated with the stick he was poking the embers of the fire with.
"How the hell did you work that out Ruv?" came Tri's astounded remark.
"Well" came a slow response as if to speak slowly so that he thought first of what he was saying to make sure what was said was right.
"If the moon rises before the sun has set the shiny side of that moon will be on the west side".
"Wooow tommy!" came Tri's amused voice.
"Yeah" continued Ruv, "If the moon rises after midnight the shiny side will be in the east".
He went on to say "It's a method to back up one's directional reckoning that has been done during the day".
"I suppose the day I stop learning will probable be my last day" Tri resolved.
"Well this is right" came the teachers last word of the day.
The sound of a busy colony of bird life with many different tunes and messages awoke Tri. He lay with his eyes still shut listening. He knew this peaceful pace in his world was good for health to be in.
The first thing that he seen upon opening his eyes was that of a spider patiently awaiting for it's prey to fly into its web. The moisture of the night had left many little bubbles of water on the threads the web.
"anything flying past would see that web" spoke Ruv, "and go around it".
"I'd say so" Tri replied eagerly hoping that the spider would not go hungry.
Together the two grown men lay in their sleeping places and wanted to see the results.
Before long an insect went straight into the Centrex of the web.
"Idiot" someone muttered.
"Bloody hell" Tri whispered as the spider began to repair and strengthen the web that had been damaged by the panicking victim.
After the web was quickly repaired the spider in speed then attacked and killed it's need.
"That spider is thinking ahead eh Ruv" Tri spoke admirably of what he'd seen. "And I suppose we'd better be doing the same".
"I'd agree to that" Ruv yawned as he stood preparing his day.
"We've got a lot on today my friend" he added.
"I'm ready" came the attentive companion.
A thorough cleaning of their campsite was performed so that once again should another person happen along onto their over night campsite there would be no indication that anyone had been there.
Slowly with ears focusing on all the different sounds of the forest, and all the eyes constantly roving in all directions the two men wandered slowly upward towards and area of higher ground.
Now and then either would swiftly turn and look behind to catch any would be fellow off guard.
Both persons sense of smell was acute and at the time of day with the air cool any smoke from cooking fires be heavier and not rise.
But no such piercing order occurred.
Even though there were no signs of life of human in the area they had not let their guard down.
With the intention of gaining a good lookout going Tri led the way silently and at a constant pace up to the top of a ridge.
Staying on the fringe of the thicker bush the two moved steadily.
Intense stares into thicker bush ensure that no traps awaited.
No signs of human occupation did not allow any change of behavior as progress was made. Even when the going was steep and caused sweat to flow.
The fact that no birds suddenly sounded out a warning to others of intruder ensured the men that they were moving at an acceptable pace.
As they approached the ridge the breeze became noticeable and the pace slowed
Entering into a small patch of darker green thick bush the packs and equipment but not weapons were removed.
Selecting a suitable tree Tri made short work of climbing up to the tallest part and for for some time looking in all directions.
Meanwhile Ruv was hiding out of sight guarding his companions descent should he be needed.
To the northwest Tri looked at the ocean and coastline. The change of scenery dwelled upon him as an objective.
'No boats in sight' he thought.
The coast line was jagged but had the only bay partially out of site to him, with no reef that would cause any verse trouble.
'That'll be it' he reckoned.
All around in different directions was forest, forest and more forest.
Back towards the southeast direction he could see in the far distance the rolling grassland he and Ruv had come through many days before.
Once back on the ground without a scratch the first thing he said was, "We have come a hell of a long was you know Ruv". He pointed back to where they had come from.
"But" he added, "It's downhill from now on and there's one place I reckon we should go to and it's a bay on that direction there". He pointed as he spoke.
"How far?"Ruv enquired.
"About the middle of the day and it's easy going".
"Shit hot" came Ruv's response as they harness themselves into their packs once again and set off.
After a while of contented traveling a small gorge came into view. It was actually a large crack in the ground that could be jumped across.
Downing packs the two men took a good look around and realized that there was no way they could avoid haven to cross the problem, that is unless they decided to travel about half a day further up the hill. That would then put them up on higher ground where a cooler evening would be spent.
"If we did that, it will put us at the coast about late in the day tomorrow Ruv?" Tri expressed.
"A good short cut may be the trick" he went on as he looked tree ward.
"Got it" Tri announced.
"Got what?" enquired Ruv.
"Well what I reckon is that we drop a tree across the gap and use that".
"Great minds think alike" advised Tri as he began to inspect his small axe.
Selecting a suitable tree, one not too thick and strong enough all the way up a bit more length than required to cross the gap, they cleared away scrub and low growing branches.
"It's a heck of a long way to fall down if we came to a gutsa when crossing" Tri came out with when looking timidly into the crevasse that was stopping their planned progress.
"If we use our peanuts and do it right we should be ok" Tri assured him.
"I'll go along with that", came a loyal reply.
"Right then, lets do it" Tri spoke.

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